According to the Triangle Business Journal, United Therapeutics Corp. has won U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to sell the drug Adcirca for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Adcirca is a prescription medicine used to treat PAH, a life-threatening disease that constricts the flow of blood through the pulmonary vasculature. Adcirca contains the same active ingredient as Cialis (tadalafil), which is marketed by Eli Lilly & Company to treat erectile dysfunction in more than 100 countries.

The American Lung Association says pulmonary arterial hypertension can cause shortness of breath, chest pain and eventually heart failure when left untreated. There is no cure, but research continues into treatment and management options for those who may suffer from it. The disease is often linked to other conditions such as heart or lung disease, infection with HIV, and autoimmune disorders.

The exciting part of this FDA approval is that this new drug could change the way that erectile dysfunction and hypertension are treated in tandem, especially in demographic males who may suffer from both. Physicians will be watching to see what other drugs may come into play to treat two separate health issues effectively.